Okra is one of those things you probably only ate as a kid because your mother told you to eat your veggies. Did you know there are benefits of putting okra in hair instead of in your stomach? What makes okra so great for hair? How do you do it?

The Many Benefits of Putting Okra in Hair
Okra is rich in all sorts of healthy things that can make your hair happy. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like magnesium and folate. According to goodhairdiaries.com, “The protein and oil contained in the seeds of okra serves as the source of first-rate vegetable protein. It is enriched with amino acids on the likes of tryptophan, cystine and other sulfur amino acids.” All of these nutrients work together to create a hair cure-all that covers a range of concerns. It is usually used as a hair gel since it offers great definition to curls and can offer lasting hold without crunchiness.

Here are a few of the many benefits of putting okra in hair:

It fights frizz. Since it can be used to smooth the cuticle the same as other oils, hair will be frizz free!

It can moisturize strands. The amino acids and vitamins can leave hair hydrated while the oil of the boiled okra can act to keep moisture locked in.

It has antibacterial properties. This helps the scalp to stay in balance and healthy.

It may help with growth. There are lots of naturalistas that claim it helps with hair growth, though there is little evidence to support this. However, it may help by keeping the scalp healthy since the scalp is the bedrock of growth.

DIY Okra Hair Gel

Ingredients

6 okra pods

1-2 tablespoons of marshmallow root

Peppermint essential oil

To create this okra solution for your strands, simply place the okra pods into about a cup of boiling water. Then add the marshmallow root and stir. Next, add a few drops of peppermint oil to help mask the okra smell. Let the contents boil for 10 minutes or so before letting it cool for about 30 minutes. Next, strain the contents of the pan into a small glass bowl. This will remove the gel so you can use it. Place it in a sealed container to refrigerate it overnight. This will help to make it thicker and easier to apply to your hair. For a detailed look at this recipe, check out this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFSZFtaMq3c

Black women spend a lot on beauty products- $7.5 billion annually- to be exact. Yet, we are grossly misrepresented in beauty advertising. In fact, a survey from 2015 found that of all the fashion advertising done for Spring and Summer, 85% of the models were white, and just 5% black. Hold the mascara!

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